MINI Cooper Cars The Different MINI Models Parts 1

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MINI Cooper Cars

Classic MINI Cooper Cars

MINI Cooper Cars Parts 1

Throughout several changes in ownership of the Mini Cooper, the present owner being BMW, there have been many models of the Mini during the course of fifty years. These have included the mainstream models, limited edition models and also specific models for certain markets in various countries. While the company was the British Leyland Company, a Mini pick-up truck was produced and during the Rover ownership more than forty special edition vehicles were created.

Presently in North America, one would find the MINI Cooper, the MINI Cooper Convertible, the MINI Clubman, all three in the “S” versions as well as the MINI Copper two door hardtop Classic. The Clubman, the newest addition only recently launched in early 2008, is the modern version of the Morris Mini Traveller, Austin Mini Countryman, and Mini Clubman Estate according to MINI. It is a station wagon/van type vehicle probably suited to families with children, animals and luggage to transport.

The differences between the regular and the S models are a more extravagant interior in the S, dual exhaust and the feel of a sports car. In fact, the MINI Cooper S was named “Best New Sports/Performance Car under Fifty Thousand Dollars” for 2008 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).

As one would expect, the MINI Convertible appeals to single professionals and others who want an expensive looking sports car that reeks of excitement and makes an obvious statement. It comes in a Sidewalk edition as well, which is basically a limited edition used to create interest while the company comes up with the newer version of the convertible. The interior of the Sidewalk edition is mostly leather and the outside is painted to look richer than the old model convertible. It also comes with a higher performance motor in some markets.

Further, the company offers a John Cooper Works Tuning Kit program for those individuals who prefer a supercharged, race-ready MINI. Working with John Cooper’s son, Mike, the MINI can be installed with equipment to resemble the original Mini racecars. And if you are not sure who John Cooper is, he is the person after whom the Mini Cooper was named when the British Motor Company and John Cooper formed an alliance to spruce up the Mini making it a racing icon.

Lastly, one will notice when reading promotional material and reviews on the MINI, that there are two spellings one in lower case letters and one in upper case letters. The latter, MINI, is used for the newer models so as not to cause confusion with the earlier Minis.

Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000)
MINI Cooper Cars - What is the MINI Safe?

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Mini Cooper S Classic Car Design And development Parts 2

Design And development

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The suspension system, designed by Issigonis's friend Dr. Alex Moulton at Moulton Developments Limited, used compact rubber cones instead of conventional springs. This ingenious space-saving design also featured rising progressive-rate springing of the cones, and provided some natural damping. Built into the subframes, the rubber cone system gave a raw and bumpy ride which was accentuated by the woven-webbing seats, but the rigidity of the rubber cones, together with the wheels being pushed out to the corners of the car, gave the Mini go kart-like handling that would become famous.

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Initially an interconnected fluid system was planned—similar to the one that Alec Issigonis and Alex Moulton were working on in the mid-1950s at Alvis. They had assessed the mechanically interconnected Citroen 2CV suspension at that time (according to an interview by Moulton with CAR magazine in the late 1990s), which inspired the design of the Hydrolastic suspension system for the Mini and Morris/Austin 1100, to try to keep the benefits of the 2CV system (ride comfort, body levelling, keeping the roadwheel under good control and the tyre in contact with the road), but with added roll stiffness that the 2CV was very much lacking. The short development time of the car meant this was not ready in time for the Mini's launch. The system intended for the Mini was further developed and the hydrolastic system was first used on the Morris 1100, launched in 1962; the Mini gained the system later in 1964. Ten-inch (254 mm) wheels were specified, so new tyres had to be developed, the initial contract going to Dunlop. Issigonis went to Dunlop stating that he wanted even smaller, 8 in (203 mm) wheels (even though he had already settled on ten-inch). An agreement was made on the ten-inch size, after Dunlop choked on the eight-inch proposition.

CooperS Classic Car Design And development Parts 1

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CooperS Classic Cars Design And development

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CooperS Classic Car Design And development as project ADO15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), the Mini came about because of a fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis. Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped, the market for German Bubble cars boomed. Leonard Lord, the somewhat autocratic head of BMC, reportedly decreed: 'God damn these bloody awful Bubble Cars. We must drive them off the road by designing a proper miniature car'. He laid down some basic design requirements: the car should be contained within a box that measured 10 × 4 × 4 ft (3 × 1.2 × 1.2 m); and the passenger accommodation should occupy 6 ft (1.8 m) of the 10 ft (3 m) length; and the engine, for reasons of cost, should be an existing unit. Issigonis, who had been working for Alvis, had been recruited back to BMC in 1955 and, with his skills in designing small cars, was a natural for the task. The team that designed the Mini was remarkably small: as well as Issigonis, there was Jack Daniels (who had worked with him on the Morris Minor), Chris Kingham (who had been with him at Alvis), two engineering students and four draughtsmen. Together, by October 1957, they had designed and built the original prototype, which was affectionately named "The Orange Box" because of its colour.

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The ADO15 used a conventional BMC A-Series four-cylinder water-cooled engine, but departed from tradition by mounting it transversely, with the engine-oil-lubricated, four-speed transmission in the sump, and by employing front-wheel drive. Almost all small front-wheel-drive cars developed since have used a similar configuration, except with the transmission usually separately enclosed rather than using the engine oil. The radiator was mounted at the left side of the car so that the engine-mounted fan could be retained, but with reversed pitch so that it blew air into the natural low pressure area under the front wing. This location saved precious vehicle length, but had the disadvantage of feeding the radiator with air that had been heated by passing over the engine. It also exposed the entire ignition system to the direct ingress of rainwater through the grille.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Convertible

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At the 2004 Salon International de l'Auto, Mini introduced a convertible model which was released in the 2005 model year and available in One, Cooper and Cooper S versions.

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The convertible roof is fully automatic an unusual feature in such a small car and can be opened partially to act as a sunroof whilst the car is driving at speed. The convertible model forsakes the rear hatchback of the Hardtop Mini, replacing it with a drop down 'tailgate' that is reminiscent of the classic Mini it incorporates similarly prominent external hinges, and with the roof in the closed position, the rear roof section and luggage shelf can be raised with two handles, semi-tailgate style, to access the luggage space easier. The convertible also adds two small power windows for the rear seat passengers which are lowered automatically when the roof opens. The roof is made from a heavy cloth, with many layers of insulation; the rear window is glass with an integral heater/defroster, but no washer or wiper.

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At the 2007 North American International Auto Show, Mini introduced the limited edition Mini Cooper S Sidewalk Convertible. It had a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph) and accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0 to 62 mph) in 7.9 seconds. The engine provides 168 hp (125 kW) and 220 N·m (160 ft·lbf) of torque.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Hardtop The End Part

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The Mini One and Mini Cooper were available with a ZF VT1F continuously variable transmission or with a conventional Midlands five-speed manual transmission (model years 2001-2004) the later was replaced with a Getrag five-speed unit for the remainder of the Mk I production (2005–2006). The Cooper S came with a six-speed Getrag manual or (starting with the 2005 model year) a fully automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

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As standard, the Mini had a drive by wire electronic throttle, electronic brakeforce distribution, cornering brake control and electronic stability control (standard or optional, depending on model and region) to improve control and handling in adverse conditions.

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The addition of a supercharger to the Mk I Cooper S required that the battery be relocated into the rear of the car leaving no room for a spare tyre, hence this model comes with run-flat tyres as standard.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Hardtop Part 2

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The names Cooper and Cooper S echo the names used for the sportier version of the classic Mini, which in turn come from the involvement of John Cooper and the Cooper Car Company. The Cooper heritage is further emphasised with the John Cooper Works (JCW) range of tuning options that are available with the Mini. John Cooper also created a one-off racing model of the Mini Cooper S named the Mini Cooper S Works. This car features many extras which help to improve performance, such as a racing exhaust and air filter as well as uprated suspension. The car also has one-of-a-kind 17-inch (430 mm) racing wheels.

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The Mk I Mini One, Cooper and Cooper S used some version of the reliable, Brazilian-built Tritec engine, co-developed by Chrysler & BMW; the Mini One D used a Toyota-built diesel engine. In August 2006, BMW announced that future engines would be built in the UK, making the car essentially British-built again; final assembly took place at Cowley, and the body pressings were made in nearby Swindon at BMW's Swindon Pressings Ltd subsidiary.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini Hardtop Part 1

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In Portugal and Greece, the Mini One was powered by a 1.4 litre I4 version of the Tritec engine but all other petrol powered Minis used the 1.6 litre I4 version. Since 2005, a soft-top convertible option has been available across the entire range.

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There are numerous styling and badging differences between the models, perhaps the most obvious being that the Cooper S has a distinctive scoop cut into the bonnet. The Cooper S also has twin exhausts which exit under the centre of the rear valance. The (non-S) Cooper has more chrome parts than the Mini One and has a single exhaust. The Mini One D has no visible exhaust pipes at all.

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In some markets, such as Australia and the U.S., only the Mini Cooper and Cooper S are offered because the Mini One's engine was considered inadequate to deliver sufficient power to run an air conditioner — a necessary feature in those markets. Almost fifty percent of all Minis sold in Australia and about seventy percent of those sold in the U.S. are the more-powerful Cooper S model. Other models of note, sold in varying markets around the world, are the Mini Seven, Mini Park Lane, Mini Check Mate, and Mini Monte Carlo.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - Overview

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The car, whose first generation was designed by Frank Stephenson, draws inspiration from the original Mini, which was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959 to 2000. The name of the car's brand, MINI, is all-capitalized to distinguish it from its predecessor. Development of the first generation had been done between 1995 and 2001 by Rover Group in Gaydon, United Kingdom and BMW AG in Munich, Germany. During this development phase, there was continual contention between the two design groups, especially concerning the positioning of the car, Rover wanted a straight economy car, whilst BMW supported a small, sporting car. Ultimately, BMW prevailed, and in 1999, they assumed control over the entire project following the departure of BMW's CEO, Bernd Pischetsrieder. When BMW divested itself of Rover in 2000, BMW elected to retain the Mini project, and to move the planned production site of the car from Rover's Longbridge plant, (the former production plant of the traditional Mini) to BMW's Oxford plant in Cowley, Oxford, United Kingdom (what was historically the Pressed Steel Company body plant).

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The vehicles produced during the 2001 to 2006 model years (unofficially, the "Mk I Mini") included four hatchback models (referred to by Mini as the Cooper Hardtop): the basic "Mini One", the diesel-engined "Mini One/D", the sportier "Mini Cooper" and the supercharged "Mini Cooper S"; in 2005, a convertible roof option was added to the Mk I line-up. In November 2006, BMW released a re-engineered version of the Mini Hardtop (unofficially the "Mk II Mini") as a 2007 model-year vehicle. The Mk II is currently[update] available in the original Hardtop and Convertible body styles (the latter being introduced as a 2009 model). A third Mk II body style, an estate called the Clubman, was introduced as a 2008 model.

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Mini Cooper Classic Cars - First Generation (2001 - 2006) Mini John Cooper Works GP

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The last Mk I variant to be produced using the Tritec engine was the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit. a light-weight, quasi-race-prepped John Cooper Works model. Hand-finished by Bertone in Italy, it was offered as a limited-production run of 2000 cars during the 2006 model year, with 444 of those originally intended for the UK market (although ultimately, 459 were sold). The GP features more bolstered front seats but had no rear seats, which along with reduced sound-deadening, removal of the rear wash-wipe system, optional air-conditioning, and other weight-reduction steps, resulted in a weight saving of around 40 kg (88 lb) compared to a Cooper S. Additionally, the car had enhanced braking, suspension, a smooth under-body and 218 hp (163 kW) from the John Cooper Works engine modification package. In place of the rear seats there is additional body stiffening and below-floor storage areas. The car also offered many unique styling points, such as the red door mirrors, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, unique body kit, bespoke (2 kg lighter) 4-spoke alloy wheels, and specialized badging. Available in just one color scheme (Thunder Blue with a Pure Silver roof), each car was individually numbered and featured a decal on the roof along with a plaque on the dashboard. The last of the supercharged Minis and a genuine Limited Edition model, there is a high potential for the Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit to become a collector's item.

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History Of Mini Car, Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000) Part 2

History Of Mini Car, Mini Cooper and Cooper S (1961–2000)

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A more powerful Mini Cooper, dubbed the “S“, was developed in tandem and released in 1963. Featuring a 1071 cc engine and larger servo-assisted disc brakes, 4,030 Cooper S cars were produced and sold until the model was updated in August 1964. Cooper also produced two models specifically for circuit racing, rated at 970 cc and a 1275 cc, both of which were also offered to the public. The smaller-engine model was not well received, and only 963 had been built when the model was discontinued in 1965. The 1275 cc Cooper S models continued in production until 1971.

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Sales of the Mini Cooper were as follows: 64,000 Mark I Coopers with 997 cc or 998 cc engines; 19,000 Mark I Cooper S with 970 cc, 1071 cc or 1275 cc engines; 16,000 Mark II Coopers with 998 cc engines; 6,300 Mark II Cooper S with 1275 cc engines. There were no Mark III Coopers and just 1,570 Mark III Cooper S’s. The Mini Cooper S earned acclaim with Monte Carlo Rally victories in 1964, 1965 and 1967. Minis were initially placed first, second and third in the 1966 rally as well, but were disqualified after a controversial decision by the French judges. The disqualification related to the use of a variable resistance headlamp dimming circuit in place of a dual-filament lamp.

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It should be noted that the Citroën DS that was eventually awarded first place had illegal white headlamps but escaped disqualification. The driver of the Citroën, Pauli Toivonen, was reluctant to accept the trophy and vowed that he would never race for Citroën again. BMC probably received more publicity from the disqualification than they would have gained from a victory - but had the Mini not been disqualified, it would have been the only car in history to be placed in the top three on the Monte Carlo for six consecutive years.

The History Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars
History Of Mini Cooper Classic Cars in the United States
Origins Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars

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History Of Mini Cooper Classic Cars in the United States

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The MINI brand is reintroduced to the U.S. in 2002. The Classic MINI was sold in the U.S. from 1960-1967. The Classic Mini was withdrawn from sale in 1967 with the introduction of new emissions regulations. Approximately 10,000 Classic Minis were sold in this period and 12,000 Minis are on U.S. roads today. Mini Owners’ Clubs exist throughout North America.

U.S. On-Sale from Spring 2002

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The MINI Cooper made its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show in January 2001. The exhilarating 115 horsepower MINI Cooper will go on sale in spring 2002 and the even more powerful 163 horsepower MINI Cooper S will follow shortly after. Prices will begin below $18,000. Some 20,000 units per year are scheduled to reach U.S. shores and the cars will be sold through approximately 70 dealers.

MINI Creates a New U.S. Segment

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There is no other car like the MINI Cooper in the U.S. marketplace: MINI Cooper's size, quality, engineering, and distinctive design gives the car a unique position. MINI is creating a completely new market in the U.S., the small, premium car sector.

The new MINI Cooper is the first all-new product from the MINI brand since its inception in 1959. The 11' 10" Cooper features the latest in BMW Group engineering and safety technology such as six airbags, all‑round disc brakes as standard, and features such as Dynamic Stability Control and Electronic Brake Distribution are available as options.

The History Of The Mini Cooper Classic Cars

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